Adult Health Med Surg Nursing Test Banks

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Turning and repositioning the patient every 2 hours is the most effective nursing intervention in preventing pressure ulcers in a patient with a history of stroke and immobility. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, leading to reduced blood flow and tissue damage. By regularly turning and repositioning the patient, pressure is relieved from specific areas of the body, helping to prevent the development of pressure ulcers. This intervention helps to redistribute pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce the risk of skin breakdown, thus promoting skin integrity in immobile patients.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: It is crucial for patients with COPD who are prescribed prednisone to be educated about the importance of not abruptly stopping the medication. Prednisone is a type of corticosteroid that should be tapered off gradually under the guidance of a healthcare provider to prevent potential withdrawal symptoms and adrenal insufficiency. Suddenly stopping prednisone can lead to serious adverse effects, including fatigue, weakness, joint pain, fever, dizziness, and potentially life-threatening complications. Therefore, adherence to the prescribed tapering schedule is essential to ensure the safe and effective management of COPD exacerbations with prednisone therapy.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count, which can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. Patients with thrombocytopenia are at risk for injury due to potential bleeding complications. Therefore, the appropriate nursing diagnosis to protect the patient from further injury in this case would be "Risk for injury related to thrombocytopenia." This nursing diagnosis allows the nurse to assess for signs of bleeding, implement interventions to prevent injury, and closely monitor the patient's platelet levels to prevent complications.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The clinical presentation of recurrent episodes of epistaxis, gum bleeding, and easy bruising, along with laboratory findings of prolonged bleeding time, normal platelet count, and normal coagulation studies (PT and aPTT) are highly suggestive of Von Willebrand disease. Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder and is characterized by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (vWF), which plays a key role in platelet adhesion and aggregation. The prolonged bleeding time is due to impaired platelet adhesion to the damaged vessel wall in the absence of functional vWF. Normal platelet count and normal PT/aPTT help differentiate Von Willebrand disease from other bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and platelet function disorders like Glanzmann thrombasthenia and Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) can be detected in the blood as early as 10 days after the last menstrual period. This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after the embryo attaches to the uterine lining. Pregnancy tests detect HCG levels to determine pregnancy status, and the hormone can be detected earlier in the blood compared to urine tests. Detecting HCG in the blood at around 10 days post ovulation is often the earliest point when a blood test can confirm pregnancy.